Girl's Night Out

My friends and I have been traveling down to Temple Square to see the lights and dine at The Garden for more than 10 years. We have kept this tradition each and every year since the 7th grade. This is about the only time that we are all able to make time to get together. With the addition of husbands and babies, it is getting harder and harder. No matter what though, we all seem to make it to Girl's Night Out! This is the difference between now and then!

Brooke, Amber, Nikki, me, Jen, Lora, Jessica, Kara and Taren. (2008)

Nikki, TeriLyn, Julie, Brooke, Taren, Jen, Amber and Lora. (1998)

R.I.P.

About two months ago Nick and I were the proud parents of a kitty named Agent Orange, a fish named Tarzan and two plants. All, of which, were given to us from different members of my family. I was only joking when I posted, “We’ll let you know which one dies first.” Apparently, I guess I wasn’t joking. On November 17 Tarzan died. Nick gave him a proper burial and blessed him as he was flushed away. Then, both of Nick’s plants died. We have yet to report on Agent Orange has he has gone missing…Just Kidding. Wouldn’t that be terrible, though?

Fireman Nick!

For Halloween Nick dressed up as a fireman and portrayed the part perfectly. He honestly looked exactly like his dad did 10 years ago. His representation was so believable that at work he was nominated for the scariest costume. He didn’t win, but was a close second. I never thought I’d say this though, but I love his hair and beard! It’s very different from his normal appearance.

My sister Sue invited us over to carve pumpkins before Halloween and we all decided that we need some new pumpkin faces. I think we all carved the same faces as we did last year. Regardless, we had a great time and our pumpkins must have been some what scary because we didn’t get one trick-or-treater! BOO!

JT and Friends Benefit Concert

A couple of years ago Nick and I went as JT (Justin Timberlake) and Britney Spears for Halloween. The next year, while Nick and I were living in New Zealand, JT started off his international tour in Auckland. With all these connections with JT it was only a matter of time before Nick found us a concert to attend. Lo and behold, JT was hosting a benefits concert at the Plant Hollywood in Viva Las Vegas in support of the Shriners Children Hospital this past weekend. A good cause and a chance to see JT live with all his friends…we couldn’t pass it up. We saw the Jonas Brothers, Leona Lewis, Boyz II Men (my favorite of the night), Rihanna, the lead singer of Maroon 5, Esme Denters, Will.I.Am, 50 Cent, Lionel Richie and the man himself, JT! 

Does anyone see the resemblance? HA HA HA!

More videos from some of the performers

   

Summer is running away...continued

7. Felix and Tarzan

About three weeks ago Nick and I became newly adoptive parents of an orange kitty named Felix, Nick calls him Agent Orange, and a fish named Tarzan. This is in addition to Tigger and Midnight, the two cats we already have. It all started when Felix followed Will and Heather home from Akagi Park and somehow became a permanent resident at our house. Felix used to be a Chloe though. This was before we realized that she was actually a he. Now almost every weekend we get a meowing wake up call way before we should be out of bed.

Tarzan came to us when Rebecca moved to Washington. She’s attending a fashion design institute and couldn't transport Tarzan the 12 hours it took her to drive to Seattle. Thus, whom else could she give it to? The only people that will adopt anything, better yet said, Nick and me. Now convincing them to be friends is a different story. Tigger and Midnight beat up on Felix every time we have them in the house. All the cats try and eat poor Tarzan and we're left to referee. I'd say Nick's new plants are the only ones that don't suffer. Never mind! I forgot that Felix jumps up and tries to eat off every leaf.  This should be interesting! We'll let you know which one dies first… Just kidding.

6. Vernal Express

We could not go a summer without a visit to Vernal. Although we spent most of our time playing games and The Settlers of Catan, we did manage to have our annual hot dog roast in the gully.

5. The Settlers of Catan

Let me start out by saying that this game is so addictive. It was first introduced to us through Sue and Mike. Now, almost 20 played games later Nick and I have only won twice. That's together and not as individuals. The gruesome twosome, Rebecca and her boyfriend Dallin, have won every time we've played. Yet, despite all the disappointment that we endure, we continue to play. It's a weekly occurrence and if we had it our way, it'd be daily! I promise you that if you start you will not be able to stop! We even taught the Barker's and you guessed it, we didn't even win. The veterans, who've played it more than enough times, couldn't win.

Summer is running away

It is very sad to say that summer is pretty much over for Mariah and I. With the start of fall semester already here it sure has put a damper on vacations for the next little bit. This summer has been great and we were able to do so much. I hope next summer is just as eventful.

Top 10 "good times" from July 20 to Sept 1

10. Golfing- summers are always full of golfing for me. Wether golfing at Murray golf course where my uncle is a golf pro, leaving work at four to go to River Oaks where my mom and aunt are frequent visitors (my mom even got even par there...and that is without mulligans!), or loving the summer heat in the beautiful St. George. Golf is always a smashing hit even if its not in the fairway.

9. Boating- We got to go boating more than once this summer and that is awesome. I have always loved being out on the lake because I used to go boating several times a year. Sadly while I was on my mission my dad sold the boat (I guess he'd rather go to St. George). Luckily I married into a great family that also has a passion for boating and most importantly they have a boat. Since they got a new boat this year and the cabin is finally finished with its major makeover we took some of my family up to the cabin. We spent a great deal out on the lake soaking up the waves and using all of our energy skiing and wakeboarding. Whatever we do next summer I hope it involves more boating!

8. St. George Lovin- When we have a free weekend we love to get away to St. George. Being away from our real lives is refreshing and we enjoyed our time this summer in St. George. We hung out at the pool, relaxed, shopped, watced movies, golfed at Entrada (a Johnny Miller course thats rated the number 2 golf course in Utah by Golf Digest, watched all the bunnies on the golf course(Mariah loved them the most), and we went biking in snow canyon. Since my parents new condo isn't far from snow canyon they got a biking pass there. It's great because we are allowed to take our bikes through without having to pay a fee every time we enter. Since Mariah has never done the bike ride up there we decided she needed to give it a try because it is some of the best scenery. For a first timer Mariah did great over the hills and even though she thought she was going to faint three times she only had to get off the bike once and rest. After the 15 mile bike ride was over we enjoyed more of the pool and relaxing that St. George has to offer. Mariah loved driving the golf cart!

To Be Continued...

Summer Rocks!

I have always loved the summer. It’s the perfect time to truly have a blast and enjoy Mother Nature. July fourth was our first true summer celebration. The Outpost (the name to my father in laws cabin in Pindelle, Wyoming) hasn’t seen us for over 4 years and so it was time to finally get back to the cabin and enjoy its luxuries. We did so much, yet still not enough. I was thinking of doing a top 10 of my posts instead of explaining every little detail. So for this post here are the
Top 10 reasons Our July 4th Outpost Adventure Rocked

10- Getting outdoors away from work and the busy hustle and bustle of normal life was very relaxing. And look how beautiful it was. (This was our 8 mile hike to Miller Lake)

9- BBQ after BBQ. Isn’t it great when you get to go to more than one free BBQ in the same weekend? I love hotdogs!

8- It isn't every day you can throw rocks as an adult and not look retarded!

7- My farmer tan is slowly fading! I haven't been outside with the shirt off as often the past few years, but its been a great year to start shedding the clothes and this was another great push to my path to beating the farmer tan.

6- Although Mariah stole my fun this time, I can always remember being flag boy. It brings back childhood memories of Lake Powell and all of its goodness.

5- Pinedale Fireworks are good times. I love the Pinedale fireworks show it truly brought out the true fashion of the 4th. Gotta love the USA

4- Skiing has always been my water sport, although not going boating for over 4 years has put a dampener on the skills. I loved finally putting on that ski and getting out on the water. I LOVE SKIING!

3- Watching Mariah get so excited that we were actually going tubbing together (it has to be Mariah's favorite water sport). I'd go time and time again with her because I know it's one of her favorite things ever!

2- It's sad to say, but this trip was a first.....yes it was my first time four wheeling, and I loved every minute of it. I took just about every opportunity I could to get on and enjoy the ride. IT WAS AWESOME.

1- Spending Quality time with the fam. Quality time playing Settlers of Catan that is. It is one of the greatest games if your in the mood to get a little pushy, be a little frustrated, get a little loud, and be a little avengful. We spent hours and hours playing this game each night that we had little time for sleep.

Although sleep wasn't a priority on this trip, FUN WAS and for that reason alone Mariah and I are going to make it a priorty to have MORE FUN and get up to the cabin soon. GO OUTPOST!